Leaders VIP continue to set the pace at the top of the table

Taylor and partner Jas Hoole then took the opening doubles before visiting skipper Dave Fenwick beat the youngster Murad Iqbal. The VIP's didn't panic and they were back in it in the next thanks to a classy performance from Ibby Khan who beat off the stubborn challenge of Jim Ollerton. Ali and Khan made swift amends by taking the final pairs before Chris Alker showed he is as good with a cue as he is with a ice hockey stick, seeing off Hoole by an impressive 59-7. Sheddy Khan took the last against the inconsistent Dave Eastham to seal victory and consolidate top spot. Longshaw B's stuttering defence of their title took another knock at the Park, losing 5-3. They have already lost twice as many games as they did in the whole of last year and the season is barely a month old! The first frame was a pot fest between John Kenyon and The Ponytail Chris Lawson. Lawson's break off shot was abysmal and Kenyon ran in 27 points to add to to his 20 point start. Lawson merely looked at the table and conjured up a wonderful reply of 40 to get himself back in it. A missed safety attempt from Kenyon was all Lawson needed to run out the frame. The next frame was completely opposite, a dour 45 minute affair between Craig Steele and Steve Aspinall. This was definitely one for the purists with both players showing their opponent the utmost respect. It was eventually settled by an over hit safety on the blue from Steele. Aspinall gratefully ran the frame out to level the match. The first doubles was a pairs masterclass from Lawson and Steele as they limited Aspinall and skipper Mark Jennings to a mere 5 points. Jennings stayed at the table in the next against Alan Heaton and it was looking fairly even until an ambitious pot to middle from Heaton jawed and left Jennings to clear the table with a well taken 42 break. George Holden couldn't get started in the next and went down 44-1 against Danny Haworth and in the doubles Holden and partner Gaz Hampson needed pink to win but a very difficult cut on the pink from Holden jawed and Haworth and partner Steve Halliwell accepted the gift gratefully! The last 2 frames were shared, Hampson beating Baz O'Kane and Longshaw youngster Jonny Hannan losing to Steve Sweeney. The win moves Park into third place with a game in hand over the top two. There was only one other game in Division 1 and it featured Fox & Hounds against Cherry Tree. Fox raced into a 2-0 win thanks to good wins from Lee Entwistle, who looks to be finding some form again, and Derek Howarth who enjoyed a comfortable victory over Eric Knowles. Andy Stone and Steve Williams pulled one back for the cricketers, seeing off the highly experienced pairing of Mick McHugh and Ged Patton. Scott Morris gave Fox a 3-1 lead before the unbeaten Simon Ashe kept his streak going, beating Chris Arkwright comfortably. Arkwright and partner Colin Crawford forged a good win against Ashe and Morris before Jake O'Horo sealed the win for Fox, surprising the highly rated Andy Stone. Cherry Tree's Steve Williams kept up his good start to the season, taking the last against Mick Webster.

Division 2 leaders Orchard lost their first game of the season against Mill Hill A. The first 4 frames were shared, Orchard taking the first before Mill Hill skipper Mick Bufton levelled things. Eamon Bufton and partner George Haig put the visitors in front before the vastly improved Jordan Sutcliffe evened things up with a decisive 49-1 win. Orchard skipper Paul Keryk restored the home side's advantage before Mick Bufton and John Ferguson levelled things once more. Mill Hill took the last 2 frames courtesy of Haig and Eamon Bufton to seal the victory and move within 4 points of top spot. A strong looking Anchor B team played host to Feniscowles and what a cracker it was. Anchor got off to the perfect start when Dave Houghton continued his unbeaten run against Andrew Livesey. The visitors hit straight back through Alan Grogan and then took the lead when Dave Sears and Ami Dippollito took the opening pairs thanks to good run of 46 from the Dippollito. Parity was restored in the next when Gaz Hillman finally found his form to inflict a heavy defeat on Andy Rourke. Fenny crept ahead in the next when Andy Allen beat Gail "Force" Costello before the strong pairing of Houghton and Graham Melia levelled the match again. Feniscowles new boy Steven Furey showed what he is capable of with an easy win over Melia and it was left to Matt Wilson and Ami Dippollito to battle it out in the final frame. And what a battle it was, Wilson eventually taking it 49-45 to end proceedings all square. The night's only other match was a highly entertaining draw between Mill Hill B and the improving Darwen Golf Club.